Organic electroluminescent device

ABSTRACT

An organic electroluminescent device of the type which comprises an organic layer having a luminescent region provided between an anode and a cathode, characterized in that the organic layer contains a distyryl compound represented by the following general formula (1):  
                 
 
     wherein, in the above general formula (1), R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are, respectively, of groups which may be the same or different and represent an aryl group of the following general formula (2):  
                 
 
     wherein, in the above general formula (2), R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8  and R 9  are, respectively, of groups which may be the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, or at least one of them is a saturated or unsaturated alkoxyl group or an alkyl group.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL device) wherein an organic layer having a luminescent region is provided between an anode and a cathode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Lightweight, highly efficient flat panel displays, for example, for picture display of computers and television sets have been extensively studied and developed.

[0003] Since Braun tubes (CRT) are high in luminance and exhibit good color reproducibility, they are most widely employed for display at present. Nevertheless, the problems are involved in that the tubes are bulky, heavy and high in power consumption.

[0004] For lightweight flat panel displays of high efficiency, there have been available liquid crystal displays of the active matrix drive type. However, liquid crystal displays have the problems that their angle of visible field is narrow, they do not rely on spontaneous light and thus, need great power consumption for back light when being placed in a dark environment, and they do not have a satisfactory response to high-speed video signals with high fineness which have been expected to be in use in future. Especially, a difficulty is involved in making a liquid crystal display with a large picture size, with the attendant problem of its high fabrication costs.

[0005] As a substitute therefor, a display of the type using a light-emitting diode may be possible, but such a display is also high in fabrication costs, coupled with another problem that it is difficult to form a matrix structure of light-emitting diodes on one substrate. Thus, when being considered as an alternative for a low-cost display used in place of Braun tubes, this type of display still has a great problem to solve before putting to practical use.

[0006] As a flat panel display which has the possibility of solving these problems, attention has been recently paid to organic electroluminescent devices (organic EL devices) using organic luminescent materials. More particularly, by using organic compound as a luminescent material, it has been expected to realize a flat panel display, which makes use of spontaneous light, has a high response speed and visibility without depending on an angle of field.

[0007] The organic electroluminescent device is so constructed that an organic thin film, which contains a luminescent material capable of emitting light through charge of an electric current, is formed between an optically transparent anode and a metallic cathode. In the research report published in “Applied Physics Letters”, Vol. 51, No. 12, pp. 913-915 (1987), by C. W. Tang and S. A. VanSlyke set forth a device structure (an organic EL device having a single hetero structure), which has a double-layered structure including, as organic thin films, a thin film composed of a hole transport material; and a thin film composed of an electron transport material and wherein luminescence occurs by re-combination of holes and electrons injected from the respective electrodes into the organic films.

[0008] In this device structure, either of the hole transport material or the electron transport material serves also as a luminescent material. Luminescence takes place in a wavelength band corresponding to the energy gap between the ground state and the energized state of the luminescent material. When using such a double-layered structure, a drive voltage can be remarkably reduced, along with an improved luminescent efficiency.

[0009] Thereafter, there has been developed a three-layered structure (organic EL device having a double hetero structure) of a hole transport material, a luminescent material and an electron transport material as set out in the research report of C. Adachi, S. Tokita, T. Tsutsui and S. Saito, published in “Japanese Journal of Applied Physics”, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. L269-L271 (1988). Moreover, a device structure comprising a luminescent material contained in an electron transport material has been developed as set out in the research report of C. W. Tang, S. A. VanSlyke and C. H. Chen published in “Journal of Applied Physics”, Vol. 65, No. 9, pp. 3610-3616 (1989). Through these researches, it has been proven the possibility of luminescence of high luminance at low voltage, thus leading to very extensive studies and developments in recent years.

[0010] Organic compound used as a luminescent material are considered to be advantageous in that because of their diversity in kind, a luminescent color can be arbitrarily changed by changing their molecular structure theoretically. Accordingly, it may be easier for it in comparison with thin film EL devices using inorganic materials to provide, via proper molecular design, three colors of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) having good color purities necessary for full color displays.

[0011] However, organic electroluminescent devices still have problems to solve. More particularly, a difficulty is involved in the development of a stable red luminescent device with high luminance. In an instance of such red luminescence attained by doping DCM[4-dicyanomethylene-6-(p-dimethylaminostyryl)-2-methyl-4H-pyran] in tris(8-quinolinol)aluminum (hereinafter abbreviated as Alq₃) for use as a currently reported electron transport material, this material is not satisfactory as a display material with respect to both maximum luminance and reliability.

[0012] BSB-BCN, which was reported by T. Tsutsui and D. U. Kim in the Inorganic and Organic Electroluminescence Conference (at Berlin, 1996), is able to realize a luminance as high as 1000 cd/m² or over, but is not always perfect with respect to the chromaticity for use as a red color for full color display.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need for a red luminescent device which is high in luminance, stable and high in color purity.

[0014] In Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. Hei 7-188649 (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 6-148798), it has been proposed to use a specific type of distyryl compound as an organic electroluminescent material. However, the intended luminescent color is blue, not red.

[0015] Therefore, there is a need for an organic electroluminescent device, which ensures high luminance and stable red luminescence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Intensive studies have been made in order to solve the above problem, and as a result, it has been found that when using a specific type of distyryl compound as a luminescent material, there can be provided a highly reliable red luminescent device which is very useful for realizing a stable full color display of high luminance, thus arriving at completion of the invention.

[0017] More particularly, the invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device of the type which comprises an organic layer having a luminescent region provided between an anode and a cathode and which contains an organic material capable of generating luminescence by charging an electric current, characterized in that the organic layer contains, as an organic luminescent material, a distyryl compound represented by the following general formula (1),

[0018] provided that, in the above general formula (1), R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are, respectively, of groups which may be the same or different and represent an aryl group of the following general formula (2),

[0019] provided that, in the above general formula (2), R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are, respectively, of groups which may be the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom, or at least one of them is a saturated or unsaturated alkoxyl group or an alkyl group).

[0020] The use, as a luminescent material, of a distyryl compound of the above general formula (1) enables to obtain stable red luminescence of high luminance, as well as to provide a device exhibiting electrically, thermally or chemically good stability.

[0021] The distyryl compound used in the organic electroluminescent device of the invention are described.

[0022] The distyryl compound represented by the general formula (1) and used as a luminescent material in the organic electroluminescent device of the invention may have at least one of molecular structures, for example, of the following structural formulas (3)-1, (3)-2, (3)-3, (3)-4, (3)-5, (3)-6 or (3)-7. These are all bis(aminostyryl) unsubstituted anthracene compounds having an alkoxy (or alkyl)phenyl group or an unsubstituted phenyl group.

[0023] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and appended claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an essential part of an organic electroluminescent device according to the invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of another type of essential part of an organic electroluminescent device according to the invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of other type of essential part of an organic electroluminescent device according to the invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of still further type of essential part of an organic electroluminescent device according to the invention.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a view showing an arrangement of a full color flat display using an organic electroluminescent device according to the invention.

[0029]FIG. 6 is an emission spectrogram of an organic electroluminescent device of Example 1 of the invention.

[0030]FIG. 7 is an emission spectrogram of an organic electroluminescent device of Example 2 of the invention.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a graph showing a voltage-luminance characteristics of an organic electroluminescent device of Example 1 of the invention.

[0032]FIG. 9 is a graph showing a voltage-luminance characteristics of an organic electroluminescent device of Example 2 of the invention.

[0033] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIGS. 1 to 4, respectively, show examples of organic electroluminescent devices according to the invention.

[0035]FIG. 1 shows organic electroluminescent device A of a transmission type in which emission light 20 passes through a cathode 3, and the emission light 20 can also be observed from a side of a protective layer 4. FIG. 2 shows organic electroluminescent device B of a reflection type wherein light reflected at a cathode 3 can also be obtained as luminescent light.

[0036] In the figures, numeral 1 indicates a substrate for forming an organic electroluminescent device, which may be made of glass, plastics and other appropriate materials. Where the organic electroluminescent device is used in combination with other types of display devices, the substrate may be shared. Numeral 2 indicates a transparent electrode (anode), for which ITO (indium tin oxide), SnO₂ or the like may be used.

[0037] Numeral 5 indicates an organic luminescent layer, which contains the above-mentioned distyryl compound as a luminescent material. For a layer arrangement for obtaining organic electroluminescence 20, the luminescent layer may have hitherto known various types of layer arrangements. As is described hereinafter, if a material for either a hole transport layer or an electron transport layer has luminescent properties, for example, a built-up structure of these thin films may be used. Further, in order to increase charge transportability within a range satisfying the purposes of the invention, either or both of a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer have a built-up structure of thin films made of plural types of materials, or a thin film composed of a mixture of plural types of materials may be used without limitation. In addition, in order to improve luminescent properties, at least one fluorescent material may be used to provide a structure wherein a thin film of the fluorescent material is sandwiched between a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer. Alternatively, another structure may be used wherein at least one fluorescent material is present in a hole transport layer or an electron transport layer, or in both of them. In these cases, in order to improve a luminescent efficiency, a thin film for controlling the transport of holes or electrons may be incorporated in a layer arrangement.

[0038] The distyryl compound represented by the above structural formulas (3) have both electron transportability and electron transportability, and thus can be used as a luminescent layer serving as an electron transport layer, or as a luminescent layer serving as a hole transport layer in the device arrangement. Moreover, it is possible to provide an arrangement wherein the distyryl compound is formed as a luminescent layer sandwiched between an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer.

[0039] It will be noted that in FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral 3 indicates a cathode, and an electrode material may be made of an alloy of an active metal, such as Li, Mg, Ca or the like, and a metal, such as Ag, Al, In or the like, or a built-up structure of these metals may also be used. In the transmission-type organic electroluminescent device, an optical transmission required for an intended application can be obtained by controlling a cathode thickness. FIG. 4 indicates a sealing/protective layer whose effect increases when an organic electroluminescent device is wholly covered therewith. Appropriate materials may be used for the sealing/protective layer as long as air tightness is ensured. Numeral 8 indicates a drive power supply for current charge.

[0040] In the organic electroluminescent device of the invention, the organic layer may have an organic built-up structure (single hetero structure) wherein a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer are built up, and the above-mentioned distyryl compound is used as a material for forming the hole transport layer or electron transport layer. Alternatively, the organic layer may have an organic built-up structure (double hetero structure) wherein a hole transport layer, a luminescent layer and an electron transport layer are successively built up, and the luminescent layer is formed of the above-mentioned distyryl compound.

[0041] An example of an organic electroluminescent device having such an organic built-up structure is shown. More particularly, FIG. 3 shows organic electroluminescent device C having a single hetero structure which consists of a built-up structure comprising, on an optically transparent substrate 1, an optically transparent anode 2, an organic layer 5 a consisting of a hole transport layer 6 and an electron transport layer 7, and a cathode 3 superposed successively in this order, and the built-up structure is sealed with the protective layer 4.

[0042] With such a layer arrangement as shown in FIG. 3 wherein a luminescent layer is omitted, emission light 20 with a given wavelength is emitted from the interface between the hole transport layer 6 and the electron transport layer 7 and is observed from the side of the substrate 1.

[0043]FIG. 4 shows organic electroluminescent device D having a double hetero structure which consists of a built-up structure comprising, on an optically transparent substrate 1, an optically transparent anode 2, an organic layer 5 b consisting of a hole transport layer 10, a luminescent layer 11 and an electron transport layer 12, and a cathode 3 superposed successively in this order, the built-up structure being sealed with a protective layer 4.

[0044] In the organic electroluminescent device shown in FIG. 4, when a DC voltage is applied between the anode 2 and the cathode 3, the holes injected from the anode 2 arrives at the luminescent layer 11 via the hole transport layer 10 and the electrons injected from the anode 3 also arrives at the luminescent layer 11 via the electron transport layer 12. Eventually, the electrons/the holes are re-combined in the luminescent layer 11 to generate singlet excitons, thereby causing light with a given wavelength to be generated from the singlet excitons.

[0045] In the above-stated organic electroluminescent devices C and D, optically transparent materials such as, for example, glass, plastics and the like may be appropriately used as the substrate 1. Where the devices are used in combination with other types of display devices, or where the built-up structures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are located in the form of a matrix, the substrate may be shared. Both of the devices C and D may have a structure of either a transmission type or a reflection type.

[0046] The anode 2 consists of a transparent electrode, for which ITO (indium tin oxide), SnO₂ or the like may be used. In order to improve a charge injection efficiency, a thin film made of an organic material or an organometallic compound may be provided between the anode 2 and the hole transport layer 6 (or the hole transport layer 10). It should be noted that where the protective layer 4 is formed of a conductive material such as a metal, an insulating film may be provided at the sides of the anode 2.

[0047] The organic layer 5 a of the organic electroluminescent device C consists of a built-up organic layer of the hole transport layer 6 and the electron transport layer 7, and the above-mentioned distyryl compound may be contained in either or both of these layers to provide a luminescent hole transport layer 6 or electron transport layer 7. The organic layer 5 b of the organic electroluminescent device D consists of a built-up organic layer of the hole transport layer 10, the luminescent layer 11 containing the above-mentioned distyryl compound, and the electron transport layer 12, and may take other various types of built-up structures. For instance, either or both of the hole transport layer and the electron transport layer may exhibit luminescent properties.

[0048] Especially, it is preferred that the hole transport layer 6 or electron transport layer 7, and the luminescent layer 11, respectively, consist of a layer made of a distyryl compound used in the present invention. However, these layers may be formed of the afore-mentioned distyryl compound alone, or may be formed through co-deposition of the afore-mentioned distyryl compound and other type of hole or electron transport material (e.g. an aromatic amine, a pyrazoline or the like). Moreover, in order to improve the hole transportability in the hole transport layer, a hole transport layer, which consists of a plurality of hole transport materials being built up, may be formed.

[0049] In the organic electroluminescent device C, the luminescent layer may be the electron transport luminescent layer 7. In this case, light may be emitted from the hole transport layer 6 or its interface depending on the voltage applied thereto by a power supply 8. Likewise, in the organic electroluminescent device D, the luminescent layer may be, aside from the layer 11, the electron transport layer 12 or the hole transport layer 10. For improving the luminescent performance, it is preferred to provide a structure wherein the luminescent layer 11 containing at least one fluorescent material is sandwiched between the hole transport layer and the electron transport layer. Alternatively, a fluorescent material may be contained in the hole transport layer or the electron transport layer, or in both layers. In this case, in order to improve the luminescent efficiency, a thin film (such as a hole blocking layer or an exciton-generating layer) for controlling the transport of holes or electrons may be provided in the layer arrangement.

[0050] The materials used as the cathode 3 may be alloys of active metals such as Li, Mg, Ca and the like and metals such as Ag, Al, In and the like, or a built-up structure of the layers of these metals may also be used. Proper selection in cathode thickness and in type of alloy materials enables one to fabricate an organic electroluminescent device adapted for its application.

[0051] The protective layer 4 acts as a sealing film, and is arranged to wholly cover an organic electroluminescent device therewith, thereby ensuring improved charge injection efficiency and luminescent efficiency. It should be noted that if air tightness is ensured, a material including a single metal such as aluminum, gold, chromium or the like or an alloy thereof may be appropriately selected for this purpose.

[0052] The electric current applied to the respective organic electroluminescent devices set out hereinbefore is usually the direct current, but pulse current or AC current may also be used. The values of current and voltage are not critical provided that they are within the range of not breaking the devices down. Nevertheless, taking into account the power consumption and life of the organic electroluminescent devices, it is preferred to generate luminescence efficiently with as little electric energy as possible.

[0053] Next, FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of a flat display which makes use of an organic electroluminescent device of the invention. As shown in the figure, with the case, for example, of a full color display, organic layers 5 (5 a, 5 b) capable of generating luminescent three primary colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) are arranged between cathodes 3 and anodes 2. The cathodes 3 and the anodes 2 may be provided in the form of stripe intersecting each other, and are, respectively, applied with signal voltages, which are selected by means of a luminance signal circuit 14 and a shift register built-in control circuit 15. As a result, an organic layer at a position (picture element) where the selected cathode 3 and anode 2 are intersected emits light.

[0054] More particularly, FIG. 5 shows, for example, a 8×3 RGB simple matrix, wherein a built-up body 5 consisting of a hole transport layer and at least one of a luminescent layer and an electron transport layer is provided between the cathodes 3 and the anodes 2 (see FIG. 3 or 4). The cathodes and anodes are patterned in the form of a stripe, and are intersected each other in a matrix, to which signal voltages are applied in time series from the shift register built-in control circuits 15 and 14, thereby causing electroluminescence or light emission at the intersected position. The EL device having such an arrangement may be used not only as a display for letters/symbols, but also as an image reproducing apparatus. Moreover, the striped patterns of the anodes 3 and the cathodes 2 are arranged by color for each of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) colors, thus making it possible to fabricate a solid-state flat panel display of the multicolor or full color type.

EXAMPLES

[0055] The invention is more particularly described by way of examples, which should not be construed as limiting the invention thereto.

Example 1

[0056] This example illustrates fabrication of an organic electroluminescent device having a single hetero structure using, as a hole transport luminescent material, a compound of the following structural formula (3)-1 which is a member of distyryl compound of the general formula (1) having a 3-methoxyphenyl group representing R² and R³, respectively.

[0057] A 30 mm×30 mm glass substrate, which had been formed with an anode made of 100 nm thick ITO on one surface thereof, was set in a vacuum deposition apparatus. A metallic mask having a plurality of 2.0 mm×2.0 mm unit openings was placed as a deposition mask closely to the substrate. The compound of the above structural formula (3)-1 was subjected to a vacuum deposition method at a vacuum of 10⁻⁴ Pa or below to form, for example, a 50 nm thick hole transport layer (serving also as a luminescent layer). The deposition rate was at 0.1 nm/second.

[0058] Further, Alq₃ (tris(8-quinolinol)aluminum) of the following structural formula was provided as an electron transport material and was deposited in contact with the hole transport layer. The electron transport layer made of Alq₃ was set at a thickness, for example, of 50 nm, and the deposition rate was at 0.2 nm/second.

[0059] Alq₃:

[0060] A built-up film of Mg and Ag was used as a cathode material. To this end, Mg and Ag were, respectively, deposited at a deposition rate of 1 nm/second to form, for example, a 50 nm thick (Mg film) and a 150 nm thick (Ag film). In this way, an organic electroluminescent device as shown in FIG. 3 was fabricated in Example 1.

[0061] Luminescent characteristics of thus fabricated organic electroluminescent device of Example 1 were evaluated by applying a forward bias DC voltage thereto in an atmosphere of nitrogen. The luminescent color was red, and the device was then subjected to spectral measurement, with the result that, as shown in FIG. 6, spectra having a luminescent peak at 655 nm were obtained. The spectral measurement was performed by use of a spectroscope made by Otuska Electronic Co., Ltd., wherein a photodiode array served as a detector. Moreover, when the device was subjected to voltage-luminance measurement, there was obtained a luminance of 3500 cd/m² at 8 V as is particularly shown in FIG. 8.

[0062] After the fabrication of the organic electroluminescent device, the device was allowed to stand over one month in an atmosphere of nitrogen, however, no device degradation was observed. In addition, when the device was forced to degrade by continuously emitting light at an initial luminance of 300 cd/m² while maintaining a current at a given level. As a consequence, it took 1800 hours before the luminance was reduced to half.

Example 2

[0063] This example illustrates fabrication of an organic electroluminescent device having a single hetero structure using, as an electron transport luminescent material, a compound of the structural formula (3)-1 which is a member of the distyryl compound of the general formula (1) having a 3-methoxyphenyl group representing R² and R³, respectively.

[0064] A 30 mm×30 mm glass substrate, which had been formed with an anode made of 100 nm thick ITO on one surface thereof, was set in a vacuum deposition apparatus. A metallic mask having a plurality of 2.0 mm×2.0 mm unit openings was placed as a deposition mask closely to the substrate. α-NPD (α-naphthylphenyldiamine) of the following structural formula was subjected to vacuum deposition at a vacuum of 10⁻⁴ Pa or below to form, for example, a 50 nm thick hole transport layer. The deposition rate was at 0.1 nm/second.

[0065] α-NPD:

[0066] Further, the compound of the structural formula (3)-1 used as an electron transport material was vacuum deposited in contact with the hole transport layer. The thickness of the electron transport layer (serving also as a luminescent layer) composed of the compound of the structural formula (3)-1 was set, for example, at 50 nm, and the deposition rate was at 0.2 nm/second.

[0067] A built-up film of Mg and Ag was used as a cathode material. More particularly, Mg and Ag were, respectively, deposited at a deposition rate of 1 nm/second to form, for example, a 50 nm thick (Mg film) and a 150 nm thick (Ag film). In this way, an organic electroluminescent device of Example 2 as shown in FIG. 3 was fabricated.

[0068] Luminescent characteristics of thus fabricated organic electroluminescent device of Example 2 were evaluated by applying a forward bias DC voltage thereto in an atmosphere of nitrogen. The luminescent color was red, and the device was then subjected to spectral measurement as in Example 1, with the result that, as shown in FIG. 7, spectra having a luminescent peak at 655 nm were obtained. Moreover, when the device was subjected to voltage-luminance measurement, there was obtained a luminance of 2900 cd/m² at 8 V as is particularly shown in FIG. 9.

[0069] After the fabrication of the organic electroluminescent device, the device was allowed to stand over one month in an atmosphere of nitrogen, however, no degradation of the device was observed. In addition, when the device was forced to degrade by continuously emitting light at an initial luminance of 300 cd/m² while maintaining a current at a given level. As a consequence, it took 1300 hours before the luminance was reduced to half.

Example 3

[0070] This example illustrates fabrication of an organic electroluminescent device having a double hetero structure using, as a luminescent material, a compound of the structural formula (3)-1 which is a member of distyryl compound of the general formula (1) having a 3-methoxyphenyl group representing R² and R³, respectively.

[0071] A 30 mm×30 mm glass substrate, which had been formed with an anode made of 100 nm thick ITO on one surface thereof, was set in a vacuum deposition apparatus. A metallic mask having a plurality of 2.0 mm×2.0 mm unit openings was placed as a deposition mask near the substrate, followed by subjecting α-NPD (α-naphthylphenyldiamine) of the afore-indicated structural formula to vacuum deposition at a vacuum of 10⁻⁴ Pa or below to form, for example, a 30 nm thick hole transport layer. The deposition rate was at 0.2 nm/second.

[0072] Further, the compound of the afore-indicated structural formula (3)-1 used as a luminescent material was vacuum deposited in contact with the hole transport layer. The thickness of the luminescent layer composed of the compound of the structural formula (3)-1 was set, for example, at 30 nm, and the deposition rate was at 0.2 nm/second.

[0073] Alq₃ of the aforeindicated structural formula used as an electron transport material was deposited in contact with the luminescent layer. The thickness of the Alq₃ layer was set, for example, at 30 nm, and the deposition rate was at 0.2 nm/second.

[0074] A built-up film of Mg and Ag was used as a cathode material. More particularly, Mg and Ag were, respectively, deposited at a deposition rate of 1 nm/second to form, for example, a 50 nm thick (Mg film) and a 150 nm thick (Ag film). In this way, an organic electroluminescent device of Example 3 as shown in FIG. 4 was fabricated.

[0075] Luminescent characteristics of thus fabricated organic electroluminescent device of Example 3 were evaluated by applying a forward bias DC voltage thereto in an atmosphere of nitrogen. The luminescent color was red, and the device was subjected to spectral measurement, with the result that spectra having a luminescent peak at 655 nm were obtained. Moreover, when the device was subjected to voltage-luminance measurement, there was obtained a luminance of 4000 cd/m² at 8 V.

[0076] After the fabrication of the organic electroluminescent device, the device was allowed to stand over one month in an atmosphere of nitrogen, no degradation of the device was observed. In addition, when the device was forced to degrade by continuously emitting light at an initial luminance of 300 cd/m² while maintaining a current at a given level. As a consequence, it took 2600 hours before the luminance was reduced to half.

Example 4

[0077] Example 2 was repeated with respect to the layer arrangement and the film formation procedures except that TPD (triphenyldiamine derivative) of the following structural formula was used as a hole transport material in place of α-NPD, thereby fabricating an organic electroluminescent device.

[0078] TPD:

[0079] The organic electroluminescent device of this example exhibited red luminescence, like Example 2. The results of spectral measurement revealed that spectra were in coincidence with those of the organic electroluminescent device of Example 2.

[0080] According to the organic electroluminescent device of the invention wherein an organic layer having a luminescent region therein is provided between an anode and a cathode, the organic layer contains a distyryl compound of the general formula (1), so that there can be provided an organic electroluminescent device having high luminance while ensuring stable red color luminescence.

[0081] From the above description it is apparent that the objects of the present invention have been achieved. While only certain embodiments have been set forth, alternative embodiments and various modifications will be apparent from the above description to those skilled in the art. These and other alternatives are considered equivalents and within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An organic electroluminescent device comprising: a cathode and an anode, an organic layer having a luminescent region and disposed between the anode and the cathode, the organic layer comprising a distyryl compound having a general formula (1):

wherein R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ comprise an aryl group of a general formula (2):

wherein R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a saturated alkoxyl group, an unsaturated alkoxy group, a saturated alkyl group and an unsaturated alkyl group.
 2. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 1 wherein the organic layer comprises a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer, and the hole transport layer comprising the distyryl compound.
 3. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 1 wherein the organic layer comprises a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer, and the electron transport layer comprising the distyryl compound.
 4. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 1 wherein the organic layer comprises a hole transport layer, a luminescent layer, and an electron transport layer, and the luminescent layer comprising the distyryl compound.
 5. An organic electroluminescent device comprising: a cathode and an anode, an organic layer comprising a luminescent region disposed between the anode and the cathode, the organic layer further comprising at least one distyryl compound selected from the group consisting of:


6. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 5 wherein the organic layer comprises a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer, and the hole transport layer comprising the distyryl compound.
 7. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 5 wherein the organic layer comprises a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer, and the electron transport layer comprising the distyryl compound.
 8. The organic electroluminescent device of claim 5 wherein the organic layer comprises a hole transport layer, a luminescent layer, and an electron transport layer, and the luminescent layer comprising the distyryl compound. 